Why do vinca drop their flowers?

Vinca or Periwinkle will grow in range of light conditions, from full sun to shade. They will do well in average soils. They are both heat and drought tolerant. This makes Vinca ideal in hot, dry parts of the country where other flowers will wither Read more

Vinca is grown as an annual. It will often return in following summers from self-sown seed. Annual vinca is not the same as the perennial periwinkles (Vinca minor or V.

Soil that is excessively moist may cause a yellowing vinca plant. Vinca plants are no exception to this, as diseases like leaf spot and root rot are common. Caused by various types of fungal infections, yellowing vinca plants are one of the first symptoms of Read more

Vinca produces flowering vines that require warm temperatures and sunlight to remain healthy and productive. The plant grows as an outdoor annual in most climates, or you can keep it indoors as a houseplant in winter or year-round.

Annual vinca doesn't require deadheading, or the removal of faded flowers, to continue blooming, making it a wonderfully low-maintenance annual flower for sun.

Soil or potting mix must be well drained. To improve drainage, compost or sand can be incorporated into heavy soils. Vinca prefer soils with a pH of 5.5-6 but will tolerate high pH soils.

Since annual vincas are native to Madagascar, they need the summer heat to thrive. Full sun is best, but they can take part shade if there's good air circulation. If an area is too stuffy, the plant can develop fungal problems. Vinca can also stand Read more

Vinca may normally curl up during hot, dry summer weather as part of an effort to conserve water. This should not be cause for alarm; the leaves will unfurl in the evening when temperatures drop and humidity increases.

Myrtle, Also Called Vinca or Periwinkle Spring and early fall are considered the best times to plant myrtle. It prospers in dappled sunlight but will also grow in full sun and even in dense shade. Use it instead of mulch under trees and shrubs to Read more

It is not necessary to pinch vinca plants, according to Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, because the plant branches off in all directions rather than just extending its length. It will not hurt this hardy plant. Although vinca does branch naturally, pinching may encourage bushier Read more

Annual vinca grows well in hot, sunny locations and blooms throughout the growing season. It can tolerate even relatively poor soils and dry conditions, but the National Garden Bureau recommends fertilizing once a month with water-soluble or granular fertilizer.

Vinca or Periwinkle is a prolific heat and drought tolerant annual, perfect for hot, dry areas. It's easy to grow, and requires little or no attention. Vinca plants are native to North America, Europe, China and India. The plants are grown for its attractive glossy, Read more

Even though its native environment is along river beds, Vinca is still a plant that can die due to too much water. Whenever drainage is poor, water sits and roots can't breathe.

Plant in soil with a pH level of 5.5. Vincas need acidic soil. Plant so that the top of the root ball is level with or slightly higher than the soil of the bed.

Vinca cannot tolerate cold temperatures. Vinca produces flowering vines that require warm temperatures and sunlight to remain healthy and productive. The plant grows as an outdoor annual in most climates, or you can keep it indoors as a houseplant in winter or year-round.

Water every other week, or if the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Vinca is very drought tolerant and prefers its soil to be on the dry side of moist. Do not wait too long to water, though. If a vinca Read more

Flowers of Catharanthus roseus are pollinated by butterflies and moths. This species is self-compatible, though self-pollination under normal conditions may be relatively uncommon. Seeds are dispersed by ants, wind and water.

Aphids and scale are sap-sucking insects that feed on the underside of vinca foliage. Both insects exude honeydew, a sticky liquid attractive to both ants and fungus. When leaves turn yellow, wilt and curl, and a sticky clear substance or wooly black fungus is present, Read more

During the spring months, vinca is susceptible to root and stem rot. Another major concern is a disease called Alternaria leaf spot. These leaf spots are prevalent in the late summer and fall months and can sometimes be observed in new plantings.

Vincas are fans of acidic soil, and their ideal soil pH level is around 5.5. Vincas survive droughts well but don't like wet soil, so give them a home in loamy or sandy soil that drains well.

Insect attacks on this plant are few but can happen on occasion. Some of the more commonly seen pests on annual vinca plants include aphids, spider mites, scale, and whiteflies. Generally, most of these pests can be controlled with beneficial insects that feed on them Read more

This plant grows in almost any kind of soil type and is an appropriate choice for areas of the landscape where other plants will not grow. Fertilize this plant once in the spring with a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Most will not need further feeding and can Read more

Don't rush to put out vinca plants in the spring. Plants set out too early in cold, wet soil will deliver a sickly performance; after all, these are hot weather annuals. A safe bet is to plant your vincas around the same time you set Read more

Vincas prefer to be grown in a very warm environment and this is why many growers have difficulty with them. Daytime temperatures should be around 82˚F (±2˚F), and at night, around 68˚F (±1˚F). Temperatures below 64˚F can stunt plant growth and cause leaves to turn Read more

Pour glyphosate herbicide in a small, disposable container. Glyphosate herbicides, commonly sold in spray bottles, are sold under several names at your local garden center.

Blame it on a type of phytophthora, a fungus that lives in the soil. “On the other hand, a warm, dry spring discourages the fungal growth in the soil and lessens the chance that vinca will exhibit blight.”

Avoid pruning vinca minor during May and June while it's in bloom to keep from losing the colorful blossoms before they die a natural death. Perform a hard prune every two to three years to control growth, rejuvenate vinca minor and encourage its best performance.

To keep perennial periwinkles looking their best, prune them back every two to three years. Shear the top of the periwinkle, keeping the blades as level as possible to create an even surface. They will take root, and you will have more vinca than when Read more

Periwinkle grows in partial sun, partial shade, and full shade. It tolerates deep shade conditions but may burn in direct sunlight. Also, they are a good choice for a ground cover for an area with dry shade.

Vinca will do very well in containers and pots, provided that: drainage is good. watering is regular.

Gardeners prize vinca as a landscaping plant that can grow in sun or shade, spreads rapidly and thrives in dry or moist conditions. Root vinca in one of three ways: layering, rooting cuttings in water, or rooting cuttings in soil.

When to Prune Prune creeping vinca in the winter or very early spring for the best results, advises Fine Gardening. Avoid pruning vinca minor during May and June while it's in bloom to keep from losing the colorful blossoms before they die a natural death.

Vincas, or periwinkles, can be infected with a fungal disease called aerial phytophthora. The disease spreads when the fungal spores in the soil are splashed on the plants when you water or when it rains. If rains or overwatering continues, the fungus can spread to Read more

Trellising: Vinca is technically a ground cover and not a true vine but can be trained on a trellis or fence with some effort. Vinca cannot naturally attach itself to a trellis so it must be tied up manually and its aggressive growth curtailed frequently.

Aphids feed on the leaves of a vinca, but the insects are too small to produce visible holes in the leaf. Instead, look for leaves that are curled, warped or yellow. For minor aphid infestations, you may be able to simply knock them off the Read more

Dry-soil plants that will not thrive with coffee grounds Lavender. Madagascar periwinkle. Orchids. Pothos.

Water every other week, or if the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Vinca is very drought tolerant and prefers its soil to be on the dry side of moist. Do not wait too long to water, though.

When collecting vinca seeds, look for long, narrow, green seedpods hidden on the stems beneath blooming flowers. Once the pods are completely dry, open them carefully and remove the tiny black seeds. Place the seeds in a paper envelope and store them in a cool, Read more

Abundant flowers bloom continuously throughout the summer. Summer-flowering vinca is hardy in USDA zones 9 through 12, and is treated in lower hardiness zones as an annual.